CVE-2022-4732 in microweber
Summary
by MITRE • 12/27/2022
Unrestricted Upload of File with Dangerous Type in GitHub repository microweber/microweber prior to 1.3.2.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/25/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-4732 represents a critical security flaw in the Microweber content management system where the application fails to properly validate file types during upload operations. This issue affects versions prior to 1.3.2 and stems from inadequate input sanitization mechanisms that permit malicious users to upload files with potentially harmful extensions. The flaw allows attackers to bypass normal file type restrictions and upload executable or script files that could compromise the entire system. The vulnerability manifests when users attempt to upload media files through the platform's interface without proper validation of file content or extension.
This security weakness directly maps to CWE-434, which describes unrestricted file uploads that allow attackers to upload files of dangerous types. The vulnerability creates an attack surface where malicious actors can exploit the lack of proper file type validation to execute arbitrary code on the target system. The unrestricted nature of the upload functionality means that files with extensions such as .php, .asp, .jsp, or other executable formats can be uploaded without proper verification. This flaw essentially provides an attacker with a potential pathway to gain remote code execution capabilities on the server hosting the Microweber application. The vulnerability exists within the file upload handling logic that fails to implement comprehensive validation checks against known dangerous file types.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and can lead to complete system compromise. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can upload malicious scripts that execute with the privileges of the web server process. This typically results in unauthorized access to the system, potential data exfiltration, and the ability to establish persistent backdoors. The vulnerability can be exploited through various attack vectors including web application interfaces, API endpoints, or administrative upload functions. Once a malicious file is uploaded, it can be executed directly through web requests or triggered by other system processes, providing attackers with a foothold for further exploitation. The compromise extends beyond simple code execution to potentially enable attackers to escalate privileges and move laterally within the network infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-4732 should focus on implementing comprehensive file validation mechanisms that align with industry best practices. Organizations should immediately upgrade to Microweber version 1.3.2 or later where the vulnerability has been patched. Additionally, implementing strict file type validation based on MIME type detection rather than relying solely on file extensions provides stronger protection against this class of vulnerability. The system should employ multiple validation layers including server-side checks, content type verification, and file extension filtering. Security controls should also include restricting upload directories, implementing proper file permissions, and ensuring that uploaded files are not directly executable. Network-based protections such as web application firewalls and intrusion detection systems can provide additional monitoring capabilities to detect suspicious upload activities. The implementation of the principle of least privilege should be enforced where upload functionality is restricted to authorized users only, and all file uploads should be scanned for malicious content before being made available to the system. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation and file handling practices in web applications, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1190 for exploiting vulnerabilities in web applications and T1059 for executing malicious code through uploaded files.